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Old 10-08-2018, 08:35 AM   #1
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Dealer wants almost $500 to install a Tekonsha Prodigy P3

Is that crazy? I can buy the controller and the harness for less than $150 on amazon. Based on videos, its just a plug-n-play for a newer Silverado LT with towing package.
What you say?
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Old 10-08-2018, 08:47 AM   #2
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Very easy to install if you can hook up a DVR or install a radio you can do it. Keep your money and buy other toys.
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Old 10-08-2018, 08:47 AM   #3
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If it is plug and play, do it. $500 is ridiculous. You can also check with a local car stereo install place, back in the 80's when I was an installer we installed almost anything aftermarket, alarms, cruise controls, sunroofs, trailer harnesses, etc.
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:02 AM   #4
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I'd say it's a little out of line. Should be less than a hour to install. I'd expect around $350 out the door.

Try another dealer.
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:14 AM   #5
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The hardest part is find the brake controller pigtail installed under the dash.
WASTE OF MONEY. Dealer scam ripoff.
eBay or Amazon the controller and patch cable for your vehicle. I bought mine for about $125 shipped. I think it's the Prodigy 3 unit. Works great! Look through Utube for an install video and see how simple it is with a factory towing package.
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:27 AM   #6
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Holy cow, thats ridiculous. I put the P3 on my Ram a few years ago. It just plugged in to the existing harness already under the dash. I did have to run 2 new wires to the back of the truck to the 7-pin. One constant 12v from the battery, and the other for the trailer brake. The 7-pin also plugged in to an existing harness, with the exception of the 2 new wires I had to run. From start to finish, it may have taken me 45 minutes to install. If your Silverado is already equipped with a towing package, I imagine it would be just as easy.

If your not up to doing it yourself, U-Haul is very competitive with installing Hitches, trailer wiring, and brake controllers. At least mine is. They installed the hitch receiver on my truck shortly after I bought it in 2011. They charged $150. Thats including the cost of the receiver. I might call them up, and see what they'd charge.
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:35 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by donhaller View Post
Is that crazy? I can buy the controller and the harness for less than $150 on amazon. Based on videos, its just a plug-n-play for a newer Silverado LT with towing package.
What you say?
Does your truck not have a built-in brake controller?

You said it has the tow package...

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Old 10-08-2018, 09:36 AM   #8
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Holy cow, thats ridiculous. I put the P3 on my Ram a few years ago. It just plugged in to the existing harness already under the dash. I did have to run 2 new wires to the back of the truck to the 7-pin. One constant 12v from the battery, and the other for the trailer brake. The 7-pin also plugged in to an existing harness, with the exception of the 2 new wires I had to run. From start to finish, it may have taken me 45 minutes to install. If your Silverado is already equipped with a towing package, I imagine it would be just as easy.

If your not up to doing it yourself, U-Haul is very competitive with installing Hitches, trailer wiring, and brake controllers. At least mine is. They installed the hitch receiver on my truck shortly after I bought it in 2011. They charged $150. Thats including the cost of the receiver. I might call them up, and see what they'd charge.
I'm good. Wired F16 and B1Bomber Radars back in the day. Rebuilt many a car too. I thought it they would just throw in the labor it would save me an hour. Thanks for all the replies!!
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:37 AM   #9
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Does your truck not have a built-in brake controller?

You said it has the tow package...

X2 I was going to ask the same question. my 2013 Silverado had tow package with integrated brake controller in the dash.
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:44 AM   #10
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Does your truck not have a built-in brake controller?

You said it has the tow package...
Just got a Ford F150 with tow package. Unless it was the maximum tow package, it did not come with factory brake controller. Luckily I found the OEM controller for 90 bucks and dealer agreed to software adjustment to recognize the controller as part of my sale. I will be installing the controller today, but it does involve disassembling the dash a bit, anticipate 30 minutes of MY labor, lol.
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:47 AM   #11
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Go on etrailer.com, they have great videos on how to install almost everything they sell.
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Old 10-08-2018, 09:54 AM   #12
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X2 I was going to ask the same question. my 2013 Silverado had tow package with integrated brake controller in the dash.
Yup!

My 2015 2500HD has the integrated brake controller on the dash, right by the 4x4 and headlight knobs to the left of the steering wheel.
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Old 10-08-2018, 10:19 AM   #13
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1500 LT with Tow Package does not = Brake Controller

I have the lower gearing 3.42 and Tow/haul mode, sway control, hill assist but no brake controller.
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Old 10-08-2018, 10:27 AM   #14
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$500.00 is way too much!

I installed a P3 on my 2004 Silverado 2500HD. I bought the pigtail with my P3 from etrailer and had it installed and working within 45 minutes — about 30 minutes of that time was me trying to screw the knobs through the bracket into the P3 because I didn’t think ahead before mounting the bracket and I was too stubborn to dismount the bracket and reinstall it. Doing that would have saved me 20 minutes.

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Old 10-08-2018, 10:32 AM   #15
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Check to determine if you can just add the OEM brake controller to your truck. Easy with late model Ford F150 and Expeditions albeit with some manipulation of data in the computer "modules" with your laptop to activate it and the dash displays. Lots of things on Fords can be tweaked -- I just activated DRLs on my 2017 Expedition via my laptop.

OEM controller has several features like detecting bad lights that are not available in a standalone controller. Worth investigating. My Ford OEM controller detected a bad brake light as soon as I plugged the trailer in, has settings for multiple trailers and will track the miles towed on each, etc. I assume the GMs offer this to be competitive.

Other than not inside the dash the P3 is a wonderful controller and I ran one for 13 years. It's plug and play assuming all the wiring runs to the back of the truck. There used to be a relay or jumper under the hood for Chevy trucks to get a controller to work or maybe that was for 12v "trailer battery change." Ford trailer relay is factory placed in the glove compartment for lurkers looking for it.

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Old 10-08-2018, 11:01 AM   #16
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Check to determine if you can just add the OEM brake controller to your truck. Easy with late model Ford F150 and Expeditions albeit with some manipulation of data in the computer "modules" with your laptop to activate it and the dash displays. Lots of things on Fords can be tweaked -- I just activated DRLs on my 2017 Expedition via my laptop.
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Old 10-08-2018, 12:39 PM   #17
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Is that crazy? I can buy the controller and the harness for less than $150 on amazon. Based on videos, its just a plug-n-play for a newer Silverado LT with towing package.
What you say?
That is Nuts, All of there product since 2004 have been plug and play, cost under $150.00
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Old 10-08-2018, 12:43 PM   #18
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That is Nuts, All of there product since 2004 have been plug and play, cost under $150.00
I don't know about GM but the Fords need to be programmed when adding a TBC, it is not plug and play.
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Old 10-08-2018, 12:46 PM   #19
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Some of the newer GM products, e.g., 2018 Traverse, are not coming with the under dash connector anymore. Just pigtails that you have to splice into.
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Old 10-08-2018, 01:01 PM   #20
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Silverado integrated brake controller

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Originally Posted by donhaller View Post
1500 LT with Tow Package does not = Brake Controller

I have the lower gearing 3.42 and Tow/haul mode, sway control, hill assist but no brake controller.
My 2014 Silverado had the same features/specs as yours and did have the integrated brake. My current 2016 Silverado, same specs except has the Z71 off road package does NOT have the integrated package. Dealer had to install/ throw in an aftermarket brake.
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